Xie Xiangrong’s grandfather was the teacher who taught Xie Shi, an open-minded and broad scholar. Although he regretted not having a grandson, he wasn’t obsessed with it and instead counseled his son and daughter-in-law, believing it was a matter of fate.

“You don’t have a son because the time hasn’t come. Children are gifts from heaven. Since you have your eldest daughter, why not raise her well? Isn’t there joy in being parents?”

Unfortunately, his son and daughter-in-law refused to accept fate and kept trying to have a son.

Old Master Xie kept his granddaughter by his side. When his granddaughter said, “I had a dream where I should dress as a boy and be called Xiangrong—perhaps then my little brother will come,” Old Master Xie changed her name to Xiangrong.

When his granddaughter said, “Little brother might not like the feng shui of Yangxia. I’ve heard Langya is blessed with outstanding people. If Father and Mother went to live in Langya, they might attract a divine child,” their whole family followed Old Master Xie, who had been recruited to Langya, and moved there together.

When war broke out everywhere and Old Master Xie died of grief and indignation, Xie Xiangrong said, “Grandfather wandered half his life—now his fallen leaves should return to their roots. This is the greatest filial piety.”

So her parents, who had wanted to flee south, had to escort the coffin home with her. They were fortunate to avoid the Xiongnu army on the road, following a group of refugees to Yangxia where they quickly contacted Xie Shi’s relatives and were sheltered by them, escaping that military disaster.

Then Xie Xiangrong began mourning for her grandfather. Using mourning as a reason, she refused many marriage proposals. Last year at mid-year when the mourning period ended, when the Xie parents wanted to arrange her marriage, she instead counseled her parents, believing they were still in their prime and still had hope of continuing the Xie family line.

“If I observe deep mourning, perhaps heaven will take pity and send Father and Mother a son.” Using this as reason, she remained at home to continue mourning for her grandfather. “Others observe three years, but I’ll observe six years, twelve years. I believe my filial devotion will move heaven to grant my parents a son.”

Her parents were persuaded and refused marriage proposals, letting Xie Xiangrong remain at home in mourning.

But Xie Shi said, “In name it’s mourning, but actually she’s organizing and annotating Uncle-Master’s manuscripts, wanting to follow the example of Confucius’s students who compiled and preserved his words.”

This was an enormous undertaking. Old Master Xie had read so many books in his lifetime and left so many annotations. His insights from different periods even differed. Random notes were scattered everywhere.

She had to organize them, compare and select them one by one, then annotate the books. Some passages had no annotations, so she would recall her grandfather’s words during his teaching and annotate using his language. Sometimes she had to write to Xie Shi, Wang Nie, and other senior disciples to request their study notes…

She began this work during the mourning period. But this wasn’t a day’s work—to do it well might take eight or nine years, or even longer.

Xie Shi admired her tenacity and character, and told Zhao Hanzhang: “She’s learned and knowledgeable, clever and adaptable, values filial piety yet can uphold righteousness—most suitable for Erlang.”

He understood what kind of girl this Emperor appreciated and liked. Even if the marriage didn’t work out, it would still be an opportunity for Xie Xiangrong.

Her parents prevented her from taking the recruitment examination, and she had no ambition for official service, but what if there was a realm where she could have her own domain without entering court as an official?

In Yangxia, Xie Xiangrong read through Xie Shi’s letter, lowered her eyes in thought, and after a moment decided to make a trip to Luoyang.

In the letter Xie Shi wrote to Xie Xiangrong, he mainly introduced Zhao Erlang and enumerated the benefits of this marriage.

He said: “You can glimpse one or two aspects of His Majesty’s character from the national policies. She also truly loves her younger brother. Zhao Yong isn’t clever, but he’s not stupid either. He simply suffers from a brain condition that prevents him from recognizing characters, making reading difficult. But if you explain principles and military tactics to him, he can understand and remember them all.”

“He can recite ‘The Art of War’ backward and forward, which shows he’s not dull. He just can’t discuss poetry and prose with you—but if you talk about military tactics and training, you could certainly talk all night.” Xie Shi wrote with a sigh: “I know your plan—you want to focus on compiling books for our teacher.”

“With your intelligence, you naturally have many ways to avoid marriage. If absolutely necessary, you could find someone short-lived to marry. But Fifth Sister, survival in this world requires money. Do you have assets enough to ensure a lifetime of food and clothing without worry, and even after your husband dies, still live comfortably while compiling books and eventually publishing them?”

Of course not.

Xie Xiangrong’s family wasn’t wealthy.

Their family was even poorer than Xie Shi’s—they were just a branch line of the Xie clan. Her grandfather’s highest official position was Literature Secretary of Xuzhou, only seventh rank. Her father taught in an academy. Her mother managed the family’s fields and shops.

Their whole family was very frugal. Daily expenses came from her father’s salary, while other income was saved to buy books and for seeking a son.

Xie Xiangrong had calculated herself that when she married, her parents would give her at most ten mu of land and twelve strings of cash as dowry. She would need to work hard to maintain her current lifestyle.

But this way she’d have no time to compile books.

So Xie Xiangrong tried to find ways to stay home and live off her parents. She’d calculated everything—if one day her parents truly wouldn’t let her continue staying home, she’d find an excuse to establish an independent female household, then become a teacher at an academy. This way her income could cover her expenses. Although time for compiling books would be compressed by two-thirds, she could accept it.

But establishing a female household was very difficult. Even though the court had issued new laws, passing the parental barrier was still very hard.

Xie Xiangrong didn’t want to bear a reputation for unfilial conduct, because if she were unfilial, academies would refuse her, she couldn’t even take the recruitment examination, and she’d have no fallback options.

So she was very careful to maintain her reputation, wanting her parents to agree to these unconventional actions was too difficult and could easily backfire.

Now, Xie Shi had given her a better choice.

Not just the single path of marrying Zhao Yong—she could also go to Luoyang and walk directly before the Emperor.

She didn’t seek office, but there were still many things she could do.

Xie Xiangrong wanted to work at the library as a clerk. She could compile books not just for her grandfather, but also for the Emperor and others.

Xie Xiangrong picked and chose, selecting only two pages of letter paper to stuff into an envelope, then went smiling broadly to find her parents. “Father, Mother, Cousin Shi has sent a letter.”

Father Xie was preparing his lessons. Hearing this, he immediately put down his brush and reached out: “What does he say in the letter?”

Xie Shi was now the most accomplished person in their Xie family—even the direct line couldn’t compare. Clan members were scattered everywhere. Of the Xie clan members now gathered in Yangxia, there were only eight households, all branch and distant relatives, and their family had the best relationship with Xie Shi.

Father Xie had always secretly hoped this cousin-nephew would recognize his talent and bring him along into official circles for a meteoric rise.

Had he finally realized his talent?

Father Xie’s eyes sparkled. Xie Xiangrong said excitedly: “Cousin has arranged a marriage match for me.”

Father Xie’s smile faded slightly. Xie Xiangrong continued: “It’s His Majesty’s own younger brother, the Prince of Qin.”

Father Xie’s eyes suddenly blazed bright with excitement. “Really?”

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